

Anchored by the Classic Learning Test
Classic Learning Test
Anchored is published by the Classic Learning Test. Hosted by CLT leadership, including our CEO Jeremy Tate, Anchored features conversations with leading thinkers on issues at the intersection of education and culture. New discussions are released every Thursday. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 14, 2023 • 35min
Dean Forman on Maintaining a Countercultural School Environment
On this episode of Anchored, Soren is joined by Dean Forman, founder of John Adams Academy and author of John Adams Academy Leading a Revolution in Education. Forman shares how meeting his wife and reading a high school newspaper inspired him to establish a classical charter school in California. He explores the significance of creating new institutions instead of repairing existing ones and shares how he has maintained a countercultural school environment by proactively educating families about John Adams Academy's mission and carefully selecting faculty.Today’s episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America’s Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT.

Sep 7, 2023 • 36min
Mystie Winckler on the Secrets to a Convivial Education
On this episode of Anchored, Kimberly is joined by Mystie Winckler, writer of the Simply Convivial blog and podcast, cohost of the Scholé Sisters’ blog, and author of “The Convivial Homeschool.” Mystie takes Kimberly through her journey to deciding on a homeschool education with a classical emphasis. The two discuss the pressures on homeschool moms to assert expertise in all areas before taking on the role of a teacher and the importance of these moms being encouraged to learn alongside their children. In the midst of this learning, the two also consider the value of struggle in demonstrating repentance, maturity, and sanctification to their children and the profound festivity that can be present in a convivial homeschool. Today’s episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America’s Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT.

Aug 31, 2023 • 35min
The CLT Summer Interns on Going from Test-Takers to Test-Makers
On this episode of Anchored, Soren welcomes four of the CLT summer interns: Laurali Breeden, Braeden Farley, Faith Walessa, and Faustina Wodzinski to talk about their experiences jumping from the seats of the test-takers to the office of the test-makers. Join the group as they discuss their roles and responsibilities as interns in the operations, marketing, and sales departments. The interns explain their educational backgrounds, goals, and passions alongside how they used those unique qualities to contribute to the mission and work of CLT throughout the summer. Today’s episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America’s Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT.

Aug 24, 2023 • 20min
Jess Hall on Changing the Culture Through Wholesome Entertainment
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Jess Hall, founder of Sherwood Entertainment - a platform that offers wholesome media. Currently, Sherwood is collaborating with CLT to provide a limited-time offer of $100 off on lifetime membership by using the code "CLT100." The discussion kicks off by examining the immorality prevalent in most of the mainstream media's current stories and its association with Hollywood's echo chamber of liberal ideology. Hall presents his solution in creating Sherwood Entertainment - a secure platform for children and a potential outlet for creatives who share Judeo-Christian beliefs. Both Jeremy and Jess emphasize the significance of low-stimulation entertainment and Sherwood's commitment to it by providing visual read-alouds of classic children's stories.Today’s episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America’s Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT.

Aug 10, 2023 • 26min
John Singleton on The Heroic Adventure Spurred by Catholic Classical Education
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by John Singleton, a board member of the Liberal Arts College at Mount St. Mary’s University. Their discussion explores the founder of Mount St. Mary's, John Dubois, and his influence on American education. The conversation then delves into the present state and future promise of Catholic, classical education in America. They emphasize the ability of Catholic mythology to inspire students in their pursuit of a heroic adventure. Furthermore, the conversation highlights the growing enrollment trend in Catholic higher education and the rich history and merits of Mount St. Mary’s, which make it a compelling choice for prospective Catholic families.Today’s episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America’s Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT.

Aug 10, 2023 • 32min
Erika J. Ahern on The Need for Truth in Media and Journalism
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Erika J. Ahern, associate editor for CatholicVote’s The LOOP. The two discuss Ahern’s switch from years pursuing higher education in philosophy to a career in media and journalism. They discuss the trajectory of journalism toward big politics and what really lies behind this seemingly recent trend. Ahern also advocates for the importance of smaller, independent news outlets and predicts the future of legacy media. They conclude the episode with tips on how to approach the college admissions process.Today’s episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America’s Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT

Aug 3, 2023 • 47min
Aaron Howard on The Supreme Court’s Strike Down of Affirmative Action
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Aaron Howard, an ethics professor at Lipscomb University and the founder and CEO of As One Diversity. Together, they delve into Howard's personal journey of preserving his orthodox Christian beliefs while attending secular institutions and fighting against progressive ideology. The duo dissects the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, providing insights on both the concurring and dissenting opinions. Additionally, they discuss the redefinition of racism, the cultural obligations of various ethnic groups in striving for success, and the significance of open dialogues on race and diversity, free from the fear of being labeled "racist" or "woke."Today’s episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America’s Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT.

Jul 27, 2023 • 31min
John Lepine on Navigating Race and Education Amid Turbulent Times
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by John Lepine, founding principal of Crossover Preparatory Academy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The two discuss Lepine’s journey working with Teach for America as a public high school teacher in Tulsa before beginning his work with Crossover. They talk about the value of single-sex education, Crossover’s commitment to making Christ-centered education accessible to people of all financial positions, and the different ways classical education has influenced the school, despite not following a strictly classical model. They also dive into the controversy behind school choice and the difficulty of navigating the COVID-19 and George Floyd debates of 2020 as a school primarily made up of minority students. Today's episode of Anchored is brought to you with support from America's Christian Credit Union. Find out how ACCU can be the banking partner to your school or family by visiting americaschristiancu.com/CLT.

Jul 25, 2023 • 25min
Phillip Donnelly on the Practical Purposes of Learning Latin
On this episode of Anchored, Jeremy is joined by Phillip Donnelly, professor at the Baylor University Honors College and author of The Lost Seeds of Learning: Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric as Life-Giving Arts. The two discuss the relationship between words and reality, and the implications of a culture that rapidly disregards grammar as an important art. They also defend the teaching of Latin in schools as a necessary way to reflect on one’s own language and dive deep into disciplines with Latin roots. Donnelly also explains why he views language as a seed, not a tool, and the unique work of the Baylor University Honors College.

Jul 20, 2023 • 42min
Clark Durant and Anika Prather on Bringing Classical Education to Inner-City Detroit - Part 2
On this episode of Anchored, Soren is again joined by Clark Durant and welcomes Anika Prather, author of The Black Intellectual Tradition: Reading Freedom in Classical Literature and founder of The Living Water School and Center. The three discuss the influence of canon philosophers and thought on Civil Rights Movement leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr. Durant and Prather also talk about their unlikely partnership and shared passion for the great conversation of common humanity, serviced best by classical education. Durant explains the thought process and steps behind transitioning Cornerstone schools to a classical education model and gives a message to aspiring classical school teachers and leaders. Prather talks about her new role as Director of High-Quality Curriculum Instruction at the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy and its role in improving schools' curricula through research.


